Thursday, March 25, 2010

Here's what I love most about being an ESPN employee: I am finally taken seriously as a real sports fan. This may sound odd because anyone who knows me knows that's what I am all about. I'm a diehard but yet before, there were still those non-believers who were ALWAYSmen.

Why is it that when a guy says he loves sports, other guys simply believe him? I have met plenty a man who just says that so he sounds like a man, but when you really get down to it he has no idea what's going on. When I would tell people that I am a huge sports fan, they would have to test me. In general, I'd pass their tests but they wouldn't pass mine. This boy I was recently with never said it, but I knew he didn't give my sports knowledge enough respect. That was until we were at a bar & the show on SNY "Beer Money" came on. For those out of the NY area, it's a NY sports trivia show & the only show I will watch on that Mets channel. Aside from the astoundingly annoying host, it's a great show. It was a Yankees trivia time when we were watching & it was the hardest question that you either get all the money or lose it & the contestant had not a clue what the answer was. I happened to know the answer & what did this boy say? "Did you see this episode already?" No jackass, I am just a Yankee fan. This coming from the same guy who wears an Eli Manning jersey to Giants games. We're not speaking anymore, btw.

There was also a time that I was with another gal friend of mine who is also a very big sports fan. There was a guy that actually said the phrase, "I love it when girls pretend like they know about sports". He was lucky we just got up & left, rather then throwing drinks in his face or much worse. Are people really that archaic? And is anyone watching this Xavier/K.State game right now?? Madness!

I'm not saying that every guy is like that. I have plenty of gentlemen friends who totally get how much I love sports & they absolutely respect it. Loving sports is part of who I am, which is why my new job is perfect. I'm no Buster Olney "Baseball Analyst" but just the title of working at ESPN has certainly brought me several levels up in the minds of those non-believers. Speaking of good old Buster, I was on the scene today watching them taping BBTN (& by them, I mean him, Aaron Boone & Nomar...or Nomahh depending upon where you're from.) So I'll say it again, I love my job. :)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

So you may recall this post from a couple months back, stating my New Year's Resolutions: 2010 Here I Am! Well, good new loyal followers! I have already accomplished 2 of my resolutions! I have found a job in my field & I will be moving out of my house in about 10 days! If you don't know me, I'll fill you in. I got my Master's in Broadcast Journalism & have been searching for a job ever since then. Not just any job, I want to work in sports.

So basically every week or two I would go along my list of websites to check to see what positions were available. Disney, Comcast, YES, Time Warner, NBC, CBS, FOX, MLBN, NFLN, etc. (you get the idea.) In total I have sent out well over 100 resumes & gotten a grand total of zero interviews. About 2 months ago, I came across a listing for ESPN International for a Production Assistant. Knowing I was more than qualified for this entry level position, I sent in my resume yet again to Walt Disney. Then something happened that had never happened on any previous resumes: I got a phone call back! An Australian man telephoned me & told me he wanted me to come in for an interview to Bristol, CT. Now I don't want to brag but I have never gone for an interview and not been offered the job (I'm pretty sure it's the dimples.)

The interviews were to be conducted the week that I was in Punta Cana so I would be the last to interview when I returned. After getting postponed several times because of a few minor sporting events, ie the Superbowl & the Olympics, I had a date to go in. The problem? There was a blizzard occurring that day. That didn't stop me from making the 2+ hour trip but it did almost stop my interviewer from making his 1/2 hour trip to come to work. Upon my snowy arrival, I was stopped at the gate because my name was not on the entry list. I waited for close to 45 minutes outside in my car before my interviewer even arrived. Points for that. The interview went really well & I stayed for the taping of the show. Two days later, I was offered the job!

So not only did I find a job at some company having something to do with sports, I found a job at the worldwide leader in sports! Keep focusing on your "Dancing With the Stars" gig, Erin, because this girl is moving in for the takeover.